scratch that
To disregard, omit, or ignore the previous statement.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I want coffee, scratch that, I want tea.”
“We should meet at noon, scratch that, let's make it two o'clock instead.”
“He began to explain his complex theory, but then, deciding it was too confusing, he said, scratch that, and started over with a much simpler example.”
Derived from the verb scratch, in the specific sense of crossing out or striking through a written record. The term draws upon the physical act of marking a line through a mistake to negate its presence.
- 01
chicken scratch
Cramped or illegible handwriting.
- 02
scratch an itch
To satisfy a need or desire.
- 03
scratch beneath the surface
To look or see beyond what is obvious.
- 04
scratch by
To get by; to make ends meet.
- 05
scratch one's head
To puzzle, ponder, or wonder about something.
- 06
scratch one's own itch
To do something out of motivation to solve a personal problem; to take matters into one's own hands.
- 07
scratch the itch
Alternative form of scratch an itch.
- 08
scratch the surface
To barely begin; to see or do only a fraction of what is possible.
Last updated August 10, 2026